Torn between two worlds, will he be able to save either of them?

Torren wanted nothing more than to forget his past and endure the life it had forced upon him. One small, begrudging act of kindness, however, embarks him on a path which will bring him face to face with everything he has so heartily attempted to avoid.

In so doing, events which seemed to have no bearing on his old life now appear to be tangled with it and his present.

Caught between the world of his birth and the one he currently lives in, will Torren be able to set aside his hate and guilt long enough to keep both from utter destruction?

REVIEW

"Frailty of the Supernatural!"

"Torren dreamed...On the one side were weathered hand, the hands of Lander farmers...The others belonged to young and old Flyers...Each side wanted him; neither would give him up. And excruciatingly, they were tearing him in two."

Haunted by this and similarly torturing dreams, Torren travels to obtain a mercenary position that will offer some security and peace. But his rescue of a hunted orphan, Larana, seems to enfold both of them in a desperate battle between the earthly Landers and several vying groups with the Flyers. The latter are the Chosen, creations of supposed perfection who possess superhuman powers dedicated to virtuous living. But some have demonstrated their all- too-human frailties and are determined to use their power to destroy their opponents, Flyers and Landers.

Torren and Larana have a set place in this power struggle which they only discover throughout their struggles and battles in the deepening conflict. What is remarkable to enjoy in this novel is the transformation Torren undergoes because of Larana's unusual personality, fearful yet strong, dependent yet independent, distant yet loving. She truly is the Vassal of El, who never forgot the kindness humans could demonstrate and whose followers focused on "what it was to hope, to love, to dream".

Gloria Oliver has created another fine fantasy novel (like her first novel In Service of the Samurai) which quickly engages and holds the reader's hunger for the resolution of love conquering evil.

Reviewed by: Viviane Crystal
thebestreviews.com

EXCERPT

"So, look who we have here."

Torren turned to the side, recognizing Elon’s voice. "What do you want?"

The young flyer gave him an unpleasant smile. "We’re doing our duty to our God, as we should. Though I very much doubt it is what you’re doing."

Torren glanced upward toward the nearest spire looking for the guard but found the spot empty.

One of the four laughed. "Tyo, I think he’s looking for you."

Glancing over his shoulder, he saw the one directly behind him was wearing armor and was armed. He cursed quietly to himself. He had the knife in his boot, but it would be hard to reach it in such close quarters. "I ask you again, what is it you want?"

"I’ve already told you," Elon said, smiling widely, "we’re here to do El’s work." The smile died. "You may think you’ve fooled everyone, but you’re wrong. Some of those old fools may be willing to believe anything just to allay their fears, but there are those of us who’d rather reveal the truth instead."